Elliptical step mechanism

ABSTRACT

In an exercise apparatus that includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle supported by the frame, a pedal lever and a pedal, a mechanism is provided that allows the pedal to be selectively moved by a user relative to the pedal lever in order to produce a variety of elliptical paths. As a result, by varying the pedal position relative to the pedal lever, the corresponding elliptical path of the pedal can be changed, for example, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, to simulate an uphill, horizontal or downhill gait.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, moreparticularly, to exercise equipment which can be used to provide a userwith an elliptical step exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of different types of exercise apparatuses thatexercise a user's lower body by providing a generally ellipticalstepping motion. These elliptical stepping apparatuses provideadvantages over other types of exercise apparatuses. For example, theelliptical stepping motion generally reduces shock on the user's kneesas can occur when a treadmill is used. In addition, elliptical steppingapparatuses tend to produce a more natural foot motion than certainother types of exercise equipment. Examples of elliptical steppingapparatuses include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,316,898; 5,242,343; 5,383,829;5,499,956; 5,685,804; 5,759,136; 5,762,588; 5,779,599; 5,792,026;5,899,833, 6,099,439 and 6,217,486.

However, known elliptical stepping exercise apparatuses suffer fromvarious drawbacks. For example, some apparatuses are limited to certainpredetermined elliptical paths and thus are limited to certain footmotions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore it is one object of the invention to provide anelliptical stepping exercise apparatus that can be adjusted to vary theelliptical path of a foot supporting member.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elliptical steppingapparatus that can be adjusted to the individual needs and desires ofdifferent users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the left hand portion of anelliptical step apparatus employing the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 provides a side view of the present invention illustrating aninclined, a neutral, and a declined elliptical pedal path for 0°, 90°,180° and 270° crank orientations;

FIG. 3 is a combined schematic and block diagram of the preferredembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of a console for use with the apparatus of FIG.14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an example of an elliptical step apparatus 10 which providesan illustrative environment for describing the invention. It will beappreciated that the invention can be used in many other elliptical stepmechanisms such as the mechanisms described in the patents listed above.For simplicity, FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of the components ofthe left portion of the apparatus 10, although it is to be understood,that the right portion of the apparatus 10 would include like componentsthat operate in a like fashion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the representative elliptical step apparatus 10includes a frame, shown generally at 12. The frame 12 includes a set ofvertical support members 14, 16A, and 16B, that are secured to alongitudinal support member 18. The frame 12 further includes a pair ofmembers 20 and 22 that are also secured to the longitudinal supportmember 18 and are configured for placement on a floor 24 or othergenerally horizontal support surface. The apparatus 10 further includesa rocker 30, a pedal 32, a pedal actuation assembly indicated at 34 anda resistance assembly indicated. In this example of an elliptical stepapparatus, the motion controlling assembly 36 includes a pulley 38mounted for rotation on an axel 40 along with resistive force andcontrol components including an alternator 42 of the type described inmore detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,486. Also in this example 10 of anelliptical step apparatus, the pedal actuation assembly 34 includes apedal lever 44 and a stroke link 46 connected to the pedal 32 at one endand connected to an extension arm 48 at the other end. In addition thepedal actuation assembly 34 includes, and a crank member 50 having theextension arm 48 attached to its distal end and rotatable around theaxel 40 with a roller 52 also mounted for rotation on its distal end forsupporting the rearward portion of the pedal lever 44. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the crank 50 is pivotally coupled between pivot axle 40 and theroller 48 in a manner similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned'486 Patent. In this embodiment 10, the rocker 30 provides a generallylinear or horizontal movement to the forward end of the pedal lever 44and the pedal actuation assembly 34 provides a vertical as well ashorizontal motion to the rearward end of the pedal lever 44 resulting ina generally elliptical foot path for the pedal 32 with its major axisgenerally parallel to the floor 24. This type of motion can be achievedby other arrangements such as having the first end of the pedal levermove along a linear or curved track. By the same token, a pedalactuation assembly can include a variety of other mechanicalarrangements to achieve motion of the rearward end of the pedal lever 44in a generally elliptical or circular motion with respect to the pivotaxel 40 including simply connecting of this end of the pedal lever 44directly to the crank 52.

In order to provide a method of repositioning the pedal 32 on the pedallever 44, the preferred embodiment of exercise apparatus 10 includes amechanism for selectively moving the pedal 32 into different positionsalong the length of the pedal lever 44. As shown if FIG. 1, the eachside of the pedal 32 is configured with a pair of downwardly extendingbrackets 54 effective to retain the pedal 32 on an upper planar 56surface of the pedal lever 34 while permitting the pedal 32 to moveforward and aft along the pedal lever 44. In this embodiment of theinvention, an actuator assembly 58 is secured to the pedal lever 44 andthe pedal 32. In this arrangement, the actuator assembly 58 includes ashaft 60 secured at each end to the pedal lever 44 and a linear motormounted 62 on the shaft 60 and attached to the pedal bracket 54. Itshould be noted that the actuator assembly 58 can be located on eitherside as well as the top or bottom of the pedal lever 44 depending uponthe characteristics of a particular design of the apparatus 10. Thelinear actuators 62 are coupled to the pedals 32 such that the pedal 32can be moved along the upper surface 56 of the pedal lever 44 between anaft position, see the foot path ellipse A in FIG. 2; an intermediateposition, see the foot path ellipse B in FIG. 2; and a forward position,see the foot path ellipse C in FIG. 2. Each of these various positionscan produce a modified elliptical path capable of simulating a downhill,neutral, or an uphill gait.

In this particular mechanism 10, the stroke link 46 is pivotallyinterconnected between pedal 32 and crank 50 and has a fixed length.Accordingly, as pedal 32 is placed in different locations along the topof the pedal lever 34 by the actuator mechanism 58, the correspondingshape of the elliptical path traversed by the pedal 32 will besubstantially the same for each position but the major axis of theellipse will be in either an inclined position, an intermediateposition, or a declined position with respect to the floor 24. Thisvariation in the elliptical path of pedal 32 is illustrated by theellipses A, B and C in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an arrangement producing theelliptical path A generally inclined upwardly with respect to the floor24. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows exercise apparatus 10 in one of fourstages of rotation—the crank 50 at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. As can beseen for ellipse A, the pedal 32 is positioned in a far aft positionrelative to the pedal lever 44. In other words, the actuator mechanism58 has moved the pedal 32 rearward. Because stroke link 46 is a fixedlength, this movement of the pedal 32 rearward causes the pedal lever 44to be driven forward and the rocker 30 in a clockwise direction. Aconsequence of varying the relative geometry of the system is a tiltedelliptical path. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a generally elliptical path Ais traversed by the foot pedal 32 throughout the cycle. The major axisof the elliptical path A is inclined to the upwardly and thus serves tosimulate an uphill gait.

FIG. 2 Illustrates an arrangement producing the generally horizontalelliptical path B. Here, the pedal 32 is positioned in an intermediateposition relative on the pedal lever 44. In other words, the actuatormechanism 58 has moved the pedal 32 to an intermediate position betweenits rearward and forward positions. Again because stroke link 46 is afixed length, this movement of the pedal 32 forward causes the pedallever 44 to be driven to a neutral position and the rocker 30 in acounter-clockwise direction relative to the aforementioned “inclined”. Aconsequence of varying the relative geometry of the system is that theelliptical path B has a modified orientation. As can be seen in FIG. 2,the elliptical path B is traverses throughout the cycle. The ellipticalpath B is less-inclined than that described in connection with theelliptical path A and serves to simulate a horizontal gait. In otherwords, the major axis of the elliptical path B is generally parallel toa horizontal plane or the floor 24.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement producing an elliptical path C that istilted downwardly with respect to the floor 24. As illustrated, thepedal 32 is positioned in a forward position on the pedal lever 44, thatis, the actuator assembly 58 has been used to move the pedal 32 to itsmost forward position. As before, a consequence of this varying of therelative geometry of the system is the elliptical path C. As can be seenin FIG. 2, the elliptical path C is declined to the left in the figureand serves to simulate a downhill gait. In other words, the major axisof the elliptical path C is declined relative to a horizontal plane.

FIG. 3 is a combined schematic and block diagram that provides a furtherillustration of the invention and a preferred method of operation. Themechanical portions of the elliptical step apparatus 10 are shown inschematic form with, again, only one side of the apparatus 10illustrated. A microprocessor 200 contained within a console 202 is usedto control the actuator mechanisms 58 via a signal line 204. As isconventional in exercise apparatus, a data input center 206 is includedin the console 202 and generally includes a keyboard 207 and variousswitches to allow a user to input data and to control the apparatus.

FIG. 4 provides a view of the console 202 where, as is conventional theconsole 202 includes various displays such as a video display 208 and aset of LED indicators or displays 210. In one embodiment of theinvention, the data center 206 can include a switch 212, shown in FIG.4, that for purposes of describing this embodiment of the invention canbe termed a “stride incline” switch. In this embodiment, operation ofthe stride incline switch 212 will cause the microprocessor 200 toactivate the actuators 58 so as to reposition the pedals 32 along thepedal levers 44 thus altering the orientation of the pedal ellipse path.For example, the user can use the incline switch 212 to selectivelychange the incline of the ellipse as shown in FIG. 2. Also, the locationof the pedals 32 or the degree of incline can be shown on the display208. In some embodiments of the invention it would also be desirable toequip the pedal levers 44 or the actuator mechanisms 58 with positionsensors to provide the microprocessor 200 with a positive indication ofthe location of the pedals 32 on the pedal levers 44. Similarly, themicroprocessor 200 can be programmed to insure that the lactuators 58move both pedals 32 at the same time and in the same direction as wellas being located in the same relative position on the pedal levers.Additionally, the microprocessor 200 can be programmed with userprograms that would for example provide an interval type exerciseworkout where the incline of the ellipse varies periodically fromhorizontal to either a positive or negative inclination. Thus, anelliptical step apparatus of the type 10 as described above, can providea wide variety of exercise programs simulating either a downhill,neutral, or uphill gait without the need for risers or other cumbersomestructures and further the apparatus can be tailored to meet anindividual user's unique tastes or training desires.

The foregoing description of the invention is merely exemplary innature. The invention was described in terms of an elliptical stepapparatus of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,486 where a pedallever rides on a roller attached to a crank arm. However, there are alarge variety of elliptical step mechanisms, such as the devices shownin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,383,829, 6,176,814 and 6,099,439 where the relativeposition of a foot pedal on a pedal lever or its equivalent can beselectively changed in order to alter the orientation of the generallyelliptical path of a user's foot motion. As an example, in an ellipticalstep apparatus where the pedal lever is connected directly to the end ofthe crank 50 and a stroke link 46 and roller 52 are not used, theactuator mechanism 58 can still be used with the pedal lever of the type56 as shown. Moreover, the specific mechanical components describedrepresent the preferred embodiment of the invention in terms of theparticular apparatus 10 used as the environment for describing theinvention and as a result, depending upon the size, cost and otherfactors the use of other components might become desirable. For example,the actuator mechanisms 58 are described as electrically operated linearactuators 62 but other actuators such as hydraulic actuators can be usedfor certain applications. By the same token, in some applications, itmight be desirable to use a manually operated pedal mounting mechanismfor selectively locating a pedal on a pedal lever or its equivalentwhere such a mechanism might include a simple pin and hole arrangementor a mechanical latch.

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a pivot axel rotatablysupported by said frame; a pedal lever having a first and a second end;a first assembly engaged with said pedal lever to permit said first endof said pedal lever to move in a generally linear direction; a secondassembly including a member secured to said pivot axel engaged with saidpedal lever to permit said second end of said pedal lever to move in agenerally circular or elliptical motion with respect to said pivot axel;and a pedal mounting mechanism including a pedal movably secured to saidpedal lever such that said pedal is selectively positionable in at leasta first position and in a second position along the length of said pedallever.
 2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pedalmounting mechanism includes an actuator secured to said pedal lever andsaid pedal being effective to move said pedal from said first positionto said second position.
 3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1wherein said pedal travels in a generally elliptical path and when saidpedal is in said first position said elliptical path has a differentorientation than when said pedal is in said second position.
 4. Theexercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first position ofsaid pedal results in a generally inclined orientation of saidelliptical path.
 5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid second position on said pedal lever results in a generallyhorizontal orientation of said elliptical path of said pedal.
 6. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first assembly includes arocker arm pivotally attached to said frame and wherein said second endof said pedal lever is pivotally attached to said rocker arm.
 7. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein in said second assembly saidmember is a crank arm secured to said pivot axel.
 8. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1 wherein said second assembly includes a rollerrotationally secured to said crank arm and supporting said pedal lever.9. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein said actuator is a linearactuator.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 additionally including aconsole and a processor operatively connected to said actuator and saidconsole having a data input center wherein said processor is effectiveto move said pedal from said first position to said second position inresponse to a user input to said data input center.
 11. The exerciseapparatus of claim 10 wherein said data input center includes a strideincline switch.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein saidconsole includes a display for displaying the position of said pedal onsaid pedal lever.
 13. An exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; a pivotaxle supported by said frame; a pedal lever; a first assembly forconnecting a first portion of said pedal lever to said pivot axle; asecond assembly for connecting a second portion of said pedal lever tosaid frame; a pedal moveably mounted to said pedal lever; and amechanism including an actuator for selectively moving said pedal to aplurality of positions on said pedal lever including a first positionand a second position such that said pedal travels along a substantiallyinclined elliptical path when said pedal is in said first position andalong a substantially horizontal elliptical path when said pedal is insaid second position.
 14. The exercise apparatus according to claim 13,wherein said actuator is a linear actuator fixedly coupled to said pedallever, said pedal being operably coupled to a portion of said linearactuator to permit said selectable movement of said pedal on said pedallever.
 15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein saidsubstantially inclined elliptical path generally simulates an uphillgait.
 16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein saidsubstantially horizontal elliptical path generally simulates ahorizontal gait.
 17. The exercise apparatus according to claim 13additionally including user controls and a processor operativelyconnected to said actuator and said user controls thereby permitting auser to selectively move said pedal between said first position and saidsecond position.
 18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17additionally including a display for displaying the position of saidpedal on said pedal lever.
 19. the exercise apparatus according to claim17 additionally including a display for displaying the incline of saidelliptical path.
 20. An exercise apparatus comprising: means, includinga pedal mounted on a pedal lever, for generating an elliptical motion ofsaid foot pedal; and means for selectively moving said pedal on saidpedal lever to alter said elliptical motion.